Proposed 20th Amendment Pertaining To Total Abolition Of Executive Presidency Expected To Be Discussed At Cabinet Meeting Today

September 17, 2019

The proposed 20th Amendment to the Constitution pertaining to the total abolition of the Executive Presidency is likely to be discussed at the Cabinet meeting today.

A section of the ruling party is attempting to present the 20th Amendment to Parliament before the upcoming Presidential election, informed political sources said.

The JVP and the TNA have expressed strong support for the move. However, Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa has maintained that the matter should not be pursued at this late stage, as the country is heading for an important national election. President Maithripala Sirisena has indicated that he is ready to pursue the abolition of Executive Presidency before the end of his current term.

Political sources also added that the TNA's support for the UNP would hinge on the latter's stance on the total abolition of the Executive Presidency.

When asked about his opinion on the matter at a press conference in Colombo this morning, UNP Deputy Leader Sajith Premadasa said there was no scientific survey done on the public support for the total abolition of the Executive Presidency.